Another "Which would YOU choose" Question...;)

[jcemom]

I have plenty of time to think about it but would like to know YOUR opinions. I always like to try to see things from different perspectives before making a decision. SO...here is the situation...

We'll be going on our first Disney Cruise in January '06...4 nights on the Wonder. (Me, DH, DS then 12, DS then 11, and DD then 3) I'd like to do three nights at WDW afterwards to hit our park favorites. With five of us the resort options are a bit limited, since we do have a budget to work within. We will use Disney transportation, but will also have a rental car if needed. We'll be cramming all four parks and Disney Quest (we'll be splitting up sometimes...DH with the boys to DQ, me with DD to MK for example) into those 3 1/2 days. (Don't worry...our "must do" list is pretty short and crowds should be low. )

I'm thinking we won't spend a lot of time in the room, but the kids will want to use the pool if it's warm enough (for them, that would be anything above 65 degrees, lol). I'm looking for a good balance of Cost, Space, Convenience, and Quality/Theming. For instance, I don't mind paying a bit more for CR, but is it worth it if we have to go with a Wing rather than Tower? Is it better than having two Value rooms with two bathrooms and four beds? We could cram into one room at POR and save even more...but is it worth the savings?

I'll be hoping for an AP rate whichever route we go!

If you don't mind, will you please tell my WHY you chose what you did? TIA

 

[precious pixie]

You should look into renting points from a DVC member to stay at a 1 bdr villa (as a suggestion I'd reccomend Beach Club it has an amazing pool the best at disney) By renting points you save money and the 1 bdr will give you plenty of space (you can even get a 2 bdr if it'd suit your needs more) You can get much more information on this by visiting the DVC rent/trade forums. All you do is look at a points chart and figure out how many points it would be for the 3 nights you will be there. Then you can post how many points you need on a board, I am doing it for my honeymoon and it has been so wonderful and really saved me a ton of money!! DVC owners on average rent out their points for $10 a point. So just multiply the amt of points you will need by 10 and that is the total cost (no taxes or other charges) For a family I would think a villa would be great bc you really would have so much more space, laundry in your room, a kitchen, and many other amenities. Have fun planning!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks, that was a great suggestion. I just checked on it, though, and because our stay would be over a weekend the cost is prohibitive. The 1br only accommodates 4. The 2br would be 178 points ($1780...average $593/night). Definitely out of my price range...though it would be nice. The boys would LOVE that pool...if we could squeeze in time for it, LOL. Thanks anyway!

Maybe I'll consider YC/BC though, *IF* I could get an AP rate. With the AP rate this January they are going for $199 and the room would accommodate 5. (Rack rate is $294 though, more than I want to spend.) I suppose I could try for an AP rate and then have one of the other choices in mind to "fall back on" if it wasn't available.

 

[Mortlives]

If you want to save the cash, there's nothing wrong with POR. The quiet pools are beautiful, the trundle bed should easily accomodate a 3 year old, and your DS's have only a short boat ride to DQ.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I would go with 2 value rooms. 4 beds and, especially 2 bathrooms would be good. Plus the value resorts are good for children, they are nicely themed. All-Stars have 2 pools and a kiddie pool. Pop Century has 3 pools and a kiddie pool.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I would definatly say 2 rooms at POP.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would go with a value. That way, no one is sharing a bed, except for you and dh!!! There will be two bathrooms and two t.v.'s. The pools are nice, just without a slide. We liked the food court there. Ask for connecting rooms.

I like the wings at the Contemporary. We stayed in the North Wing but I still think it may be cramped for five people. Two queen beds and the twin size day bed. We love the CR but there are only 3 of us.

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for all the opinions! I am thinking of the "cramped" feeling we may get in one room. As for the bed "situation" we likely would put DS 11 on the daybed, as he likes to sleep that way...usually sleeps on the loveseat in his room at home. DS 12 would get the other bed, and DD would either sleep with DS 12 or DH and I.

Decisions, decisions. It's a good thing I have time to think about it. (Or as DH would say...time to change my mind a couple hundred times. )

 

[robinb]

I voted for a single room at PO-R. You'll be used to living in each other's pockets by then and it has a nice pool.

 

[pplasky]

We faced this same dilemma this past April. We chose CR for conveniance. We had a car, but liked being able to walk to MK and Connect monorails for EPCOT. The room was ample sized and other than going to DQ, the transportation for the other parks was good.

 

[Disneyof3]

We kinda have the same problem this year and I picked POR. There is 5 of us in my family but we are never going to be in the rooms except to sleep and shower and eat breakfast. So that is why we picked POR. We stayed in AMO last year but my youngest was under 3. This year I'm saving 200.00 US by only having 1 room in POR then 2 in AMO.


Just another opinion.

 

[jimmiej]

We did a CR wing room June '04 with 5. Worked great. We never felt crowded.

 

[disneychrista]

Personally I would "do the math" and stay where ever it comes out to be cheapest.

 

[jcemom]

2006 Rates won't be out for a while, but based on 2005 rates (tax included):

One room at POR...$150/night rack...$90/night with AP rate if available

Two rooms at POP...$170/night rack...$110/night with AP rate if available

One CR wing room...$270/night rack...$170/night with AP rate if available

*IF* AP rates were available it would open up a lot more possibilities as it would put the other deluxes within my price range. However, it would still make them cost much more than the other options. So I guess it still comes down to whether I want to spend more...or have more to spend, lol. If I could get the Beach Club for $225/night with an AP rate, should I jump on the chance to stay there at a great price considering it a deal? Or go for the AP rate for the two Pop rooms and "save" $100/night? Is it any wonder my DH says I drive him nuts?

Yet another option might be to split it. We'll probably be staying two nights before the cruise and three after. I don't know. I have so much time to consider this I'll have all of you here on the DIS just as crazy as DH. (poor guy)

 

[DisneyJen0504]

DEfinitely te 2 value rooms!!!

 

[disneychrista]

If you really want to stay at Beach Club and can get a great rate, do it for your second half of the WDW trip. Stay at the "less exciting" resort for the first half. This way you will ciut down on the disapointment some feel when staying at a lesser resort.

In any case have fun.

 

[cranbiz]

I would go with 1 room at POR. You're not spending a lot of time in the room. Save the $$ to use elseware.

 

[disneyvacalover]

I HAVE THE SAME DILEMA FOR THIS FEB. BUT THERE ARE SIX OF US, MYSELF, DH, DS-10, DD-7, DD-4 AND DBABY. WE ENDED UP DOING 2 ROOMS AT THE POP. BUT WE ARE SPLITTING IT WITH A FEW NIGHTS AT POR AT END OF TRIP.
I POSTED SUGGESTION HELP AS WELL. BESIDES 4 BEDS AND 2 BATHROOMS THE 2 TV THING REALLY APPEALED TO ME. WE HAVE FRIENDS STAYING AT THE POP SO THAT MADE THE DECISION EASIER.
BUT, I REALLY LOVE THE BOAT RIDE TO DD AND MY KIDS LOVE THE POOL AT POR.

WHATEVER YOUR DECISION HAVE A GREAT TIME.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have done all 3 of the options you have listed, and I would choose the CR wing room. Especially if you are trying to do a lot in a little time! Location, Location, Location! And you simply cannot beat having the monorail at your disposal! I would actually rate POR as the worst (please don't flame me!). I love the resort, but it is a little tight with 5 in the room. Or maybe you could go totally nuts and do 2 rooms there? Whatever you pick you will have a great time!:thewave:

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the input maxismom! I hadn't thought of it, but if we got an AP rate at POR then two rooms would definitely be a possibility...that's a great suggestion!